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To help you choose the best-performing tire to keep you safe on wet, icy, or snowy winter roads, we have reviewed the best winter tires in the market.
Many people have the misconception about winter tires that they do not need them if they have four-wheel drive or the tires are only worth fitting if they are driving in snow or ice, but both are wrong. Winter tires’ traction and extra grip are far greater than summer tires. Along with being tangible in temperatures below seven °C and on wet roads, the benefits are clear to see on snow and ice.
So by now, the question might have struck your mind: What are the best tires for winter?
List Of 10 Best Winter Tires
Here we go listing our reviews on winter tires which are not only based on our survey but also on the reviews of others who prefer winter tires for their vehicles.
1. Bridgestone Blizzak WS80
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is one of the best winter tires available on the market. The WS-80 is, without a doubt, a leader in the industry for traction and stability when driving on ice and snow.
It has the latest snow tire technology – the NanoPro Tech Multicell tread compound that improves traction on wet and snowy roads and 3-D zigzag sipes that provide biting edges for improved traction to dig on the snow. As per people’s review, it is exceptionally brilliant and provides the most comfortable driving experience, but tread life could be improved, they added.
Pros
- Excellent winter traction with specific features
- Stable on slippery roads
Cons
- Low performance on a dry and wet surface
Read: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus: A worth buy or not?
2. Nokian WR G3
Nokian WR G3 comes with two different tread patterns to fulfill the needs of different size categories – a durable alternative arrow-shaped tread pattern (for smaller family cars drivers who value safe, economical driving) and an asymmetrical pattern (for most sizes with particular emphasis on sensitive driver response, even at high speeds).
It provides the best driving safety and can be used year-round. Nokian WR G3 also has unique features like 3D siping, stylish polished main grooves, run-flat/Flat Run property (optional), carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, and guarantees the complete absence of toxic chemicals in Nokian production methods.
Pros
- Superb braking for winter conditions
- Excellent cornering
- Hydroplane resistance
Cons
- Not suitable for summer
3. Michelin X-Ice Xi3
The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is firm enough to ensure enough flexibility to provide desirable snow and ice traction in lower temperatures and stable dry and wet road handling at higher temperatures.
The tire offers low-rolling resistance and, consequently, reduces your fuel consumption and CO2 emission. It has a directional tread pattern with block edges, Cross Z sipes, micro-pumps, and variable angles, which helps minimize hydroplaning while improving treadwear, handling, and traction regardless of whether it is used on dry or wet surfaces, mush, slush, or icy conditions.
The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 should last many seasons as the treadwear is very slow, and the tire comes with a great warranty of 30,000 to 40,000 miles depending on speed rating.
Pros
- Outstanding traction in dry, wet, or snowy climatic conditions.
- Provides a firm grip and solid control
- Gentle cornering and superb handling
- It generates negligible noise, which is unusual for winter tires.
Cons
- The wet surface cornering capability of the tire could be enhanced or improved.
Check Out Michelin Defender Tire – Everything You Need To Know
4. Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip Ice WRT
The Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip Ice WRT is a winter tire featuring Goodyear’s unique V-TRED technology that reduces the risk of aquaplaning by evacuating water and slush from the tire. Its tread pattern is designed with a high proportion of sipes that bites into snow and ice to enhance your vehicle’s traction in freezing conditions.
Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip Ice WRT delivers good performance throughout the year. It has 3D Treadlock technology that increases the cornering grip. But according to the reviews, people added that tires become noisy with use.
Pros
- Enhanced braking in winter
- Amazing wet traction
- Excellent cornering ability
Cons
- Noisy on dry roads
Check Out: Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire Review – 2021
5. Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
The high-performance Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D is a winter tire for passenger vehicles. Its Jointless Band Technology ensures close road contact and maintains the ideal tire shape, allowing the tire to absorb the shock of driving.
The interlocking 3D sipes in the tire’s shoulder blocks and the directional tread pattern add to dry pavement traction and cornering grip on snow, ice, and otheharshgh winter conditions. At the same time, they are in motion, decreasing the road vibrations felt in the vehicle’s cabin. This helps enable a comfortable and smooth driving experience with a longer tread life.
Pros
- Ample snow traction
- Excellent wet grip
Cons
- Noisy on dry road
- Wear is far below average
6. Hankook I*Cept Evo W310
The Hankook I*Cept Evo is a simple yet solid performing tire with an asymmetric tread pattern that provides comfortable and stable driving with excellent traction on wet and dry roads. It has unique Polar Bear Claw traction grooves in the treadgivingng extra bites on ice and snow. To help improve braking ability on all surfaces, it has a ribbed design, but on the dark side, this creates a problem on wet and slushy roads.
Pros
- Excellent snow traction
- Rides smoothly on ice
Cons
- Not suitable for warm weather
- The wet grip could be improved
7. General Altimax Arctic
The General Altimax Arctic is one of the best-selling winter tires with excellent traction on all surfaces featuring high-density siping (which increases braking and acceleration even on hard-packed snow surfaces) and an all-weather dual tread compound(that increases wet traction). It provides exceptional steering control and stability on snow.
Pros
- Outstanding traction on snow
- Enhanced ice traction with studs
- Tough and durable
- Impressive drive in rains
Cons
- Not suitable for dry roads
8. Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 continues to be a series of high-performance winter tires built for drivers of sedans, sport coupes, and other high-performance vehicles. It is designed with Stabiligrip 3D siping around the tread for impressive handling and dependable traction.
For maximum bite in winter weather conditions, Pilot Alpin uses a sunflower oil Helio tread compound that is also silica-based. It has excellent slush, snow, and rain handling and excellent acceleration and braking in snow.
Pros
- Perfect for freezing weather
- Excellent snow traction
- Impressive handling
- Performs well in wet conditions and rains
Cons
- Expensive
9. Continental ExtremeWinterContact
The Continental ExtremeWinterContact provides a quiet and more comfortable ride with a dependable grip in deep snow and ice for drivers of pickups, crossovers, minivans, and SUVs.
Along with being priced lower than most other offerings, it provides reasonable steering control in dry and wet conditions while boasting an attractive tread compound with siping to improve traction in snow. It is specially designed with lateral grooves to improve performance on dry roads. But for Continental ExtremeWinterContact, tread durability acts as an obstacle.
Pros
- Improved dry handling
- Hydroplaning resistance
- Reduced noise
Cons
- Snow traction could be improved
10. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 is fuel-efficient, has low rolling resistance, and has the most advanced non-studded winter tire technology. It has sturdy handling and is highly stable during high-speed cornering. To allow it to dig into the surface for traction, it has a Claw design and is also specially designed with a unique silica-based tread compound.
This tire has an impressive performance on snow and ice.
Pros
- Excellent wet grip
- Comfortable ride
- Enhanced snow grip and traction
Cons
- Average handling in winter
- The dry grip could be improved
FAQs
What type of tire is best for winter?
Tires having a rubber composition remain soft and supple in cold temperatures to aid grip. The rubber compound is developed for extended tread life and functions best above 45° F. Winter tires often feature higher siping to increase traction in winter driving conditions.
Do you need all four winter tires?
Because consistency is essential, it’s best to match all four tires for winter conditions. Four winter tires are recommended whether you have a rear wheel, front wheel, or four-wheel drive vehicle. The extra expense of four tires will give you more confidence when accelerating and braking.
Can winter tires be used all year?
Unfortunately no. While winter tires come from top brands that promise to deliver throughout the season, it is better to change them during hot weather.
Conclusion
The best winter tires for 2023 can be built and designed with grooves and biting edges to increase the traction on snow surfaces and newer technologies. Roads in winter become blocked with slush and snow, which becomes hazardous for traveling. The tires discussed above are best from the safety point of view to travel safely on snow-affected roads. All of the above ten tire models make excellent choices.
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Terry is an Automotive Enthusiast and the face behind TopTireReviews. He's an avid reader, mechanic and loves writing blogs about car guides. You can find him on Linkedin
